Coal-handling bridge.



No. 858,314. PATENTBD JUNE 25, 1907. c. s. WILLIAMSON. GOAL HANDLING BRIDGE.

APPLICATION FILED OUT. 27, 1906.

SHEBTB-SHEET 1.

F KG. 1

I I I PATENTED JUNE 25, 1907. G. S. WILLIAMSON.

GOAL HANDLING BRIDGE.

APPLICATION FILED 0OT. 27, 1908- 5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

No. 858,314. PATENTED JUNE 25, 1907.

G. S. WILLIAMSON. 'GOAL HANDLING BRIDGE.

APPLIOATION FILED 001327, 1906.

6 SHEETS-SHBET 4.

WITNESSES.

V INVENTOH. 2 v czwfiawflgww fwczfitg PATENTED JUNE 25, 1907. G. S. WILLIAMSON.

,;c0AL HANDLING BRIDGE. APPLICATION FILED 00127, 1906.

6 SHEETS-SHEET E.

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WITNESSES. Tnyzmon.

wa m-1D- STATES,

ATENT. OFFICE.

CHARLES s. WILLIAMSON, or PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR or ONE-HALF TO HEYL & PATTERSON INCORPORATED, or PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION or PENNSYLVANIA.

COAL-HANDLING BRIDGE.

To all whont it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES S. WIL IAM- sent, a resident of N. .4259 Fifth avenue, Pittsbur in the county of Allegheny and State ,of Ien'nsylvania, have inventeda' new and useful Improvement in Coal-Handling Bridges; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description thereof. I I

My invention relates to apparatus for handling coal or like material.

In the handling of coal, as in'the case of unloading itfrom barges and putting itinto a storage pile or transferring it directly from boats to be loaded into cars, it is usually customary to employ a bridge of sufficient-height to allow of the storage of the coal beneath the same, and carrying the loading or unloading apparatus by means of which the coal is C311": rled from the barges to the storage pile or to the chute which deposits the coal into the cars, run on to tracks in such position to re-.

' ceive the coal. In such plants where the railroad-tracks upon'which the cars traveL are directly parallel with the line of travel of the bridge it is not necessary to provide for any substantial variation in'the span of the bridge due to any variation inthe distance between the tracks sup orting the car and thatupo'n'which the brid e travels. Where,

however, the railrod trac does not run parallel' with the tracks upon which the bridge 7 travels, but may be located at an angle there- 'I to so that the space between the railroad tracks and the tracks of the front'pier may vary, such variation must be provided for by varying the length of the span of the bridge.

p The object of my invention, therefore, is to rovide'for-this variation. in the'span of the 49 hridge to conform to thevarying distance of the railroad track from tl e tracks upon which the front pier travels and to this end my.in-' 'vention comprises the novel features hereinafter set forth and claimed.

a side elevation of a coal handling apparatus embodying my invention, Fig. 2 isa' plan view thereof largely diagrammatic; Fig. 3 is an enlarged side view-of the rear direction of the arrow, Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of the portion of the rear pier Specification of Letters Patent. Application filed 0ctobar2'7, 1906. Serial No. 340,928.

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 ier partly broken away; Fig. 4 is a view loohing in the Patented an. 25, 1907.

' showing the manner "in which-the bridge is supported thereon Fig. 6 is a plan View of 'the pier showing the guide rails" thereon;

Fig. 7 is an end elevation of the lower portion of the rear pier; Fig. 8 is an end elevation of the front pier partly brokenaway; Fig. 9 is an enlarged view ofthe upper portion of the front pier and its swiveled connection with the bridge; Fig. '10 is an end elevation of a portion of the rear pier looking in the direction of the arrow, Fig. 9; F 11 is a cross section on the line 11-11 Fig.9.; and Fi 12 is'a pers ective view of one ofjthe shoes y means of w 'ch the bridge rests upon the front pier.

The numeral 2 designates a suitable concrete or other foundation for the coal storage plant,the foundationin this instance be' located adjacent to .the water 3, by means o which the .coal or other material is trans ported to the unloadi point in barges 4. Tracks 5 are laid along t e water-front adjatherewith, while to t e rear thereof, or farther in. is the track'6 slightly elevated above the track 5.

Supported upon the tracks 5 and adapted to travel thereon is the front pier 7 and supported upon the track 6 and adapted to cent to the outer ed e thereof and parallel travel thereon is the rear pier 8.- These two piers sup clam-she bles and sheaves is sup orted by-.the' bridge 9 and by means of set 'bucket the coal or other. material may be lifted from'the boat 4 and placed in the storage ile 1-1 orctransferred directly to be loade" in the; cars 12 which run up'on tracks 13 which are parallel with trackfi. the mechanism for operat-i' ing the clam-shell bucket forms no art of mypresent invention, Ihavefnot eemed it necessary to illustratev or' describe the samein detail, as the'construction and operation of such a devicecomes fully within the knowledge of the ordinary skilled mechanic. I

The. tracks 5 are. parallel with the'boat 4,

ort and carry the bridge 9. A bucket 10 with its operating cai as shown in Fig. 2 while the-tracks '6 and- 13,

'or at least one portion thereof, extend oil at an angle to thetr'ack 5... Therear-pier 8 may be built up of steel angles or beams of proper shape-sobraced as to-forma substantial] st1 'ucture. At the lower end of. the rear Pi seems w ls wh e the 4 ble flanges adaptedto engage both sides of the head of the rails 15. ried by the pier 8 and from which power is derived to drive the wheels 14 to move the riser along track 6. Suitable ge'arings '17 transmits the powerfrom the motor 16. tov

the wheels 14 At the upper end ofthe pier 8 is the hopper 18 to which the chute 19 is have the central flange 24 which entersthe' space 25 formed. between the two channel beams v26 forming thei'lower sidegird'er of the bridge. In this manner the displacement of the bridge with'reference to the carriage; 22 is prevented. In order to guard against the upward movement of the bridge 9 brackets 27 on the carriage 22- have the idler's 28 en aging the-lower flange of the inner channe 26. --To'provide for'the turning of the'pier 8, independent of any such rotarymotion on the part of the bridge/ 9, said pier is swiveled'to said bridge. 29 carried by the carriage 22 at the midpolnt thereof, passes down through an opening in the channel 30 at. the top ofthe pier 8. In this manner the ier 8 is free to turn independent of the bridge, the shoes 21-onthe carriage 22 permittingthe guide rails 20 to slide thereinas said pier turns. The carriage in the meantime is held in line with the bridge 9.

The front pier 7, like the rear ier, ismade up of angles and beams suitab T braced to form a rigid structure and at the lower end of said pier are the wheels 31 traveling on the rails of track 5. A motor 32 is connected up by suitable gearing to drive the wheels 31. At the upper end of the pier? isthe wearplate 33 and resting upon said wear-plate and adapted to slide thereon are'the shoes 34. oThese shoes have a curved bearing 35 resting-in contact with the wear-plate 33 and have the flanges 36 which. are bolted to the angle bars 37 of the madeu-p beams '38.

These beams. 38 support the cross-beams or tra'nsoms- 39 of the bridge.

Exten'ding up from the upper end of the pier 7 are the angle bars 40 and the channel beam 41 These anglebars 40 and channel 41 are connected by plates 42. A top plate 43 is connected to the angle bars 40. Plates 44 and 45 are'secured to the flanges of the channels 39. A pin-46 passes down through openings in the plates 44, 43, channel bar 41 and plate 45.

this manner the pier 7 is swiveled to the bridge 9 so that the end of said bridge, sup ported' by said pier, may swing at an angle A motor 16 is can lines, FiQ. 2,

"chute 19 into therar 12.

A pin' assert to conform to the movement of the rear pier 8, as clearly indicated inFig 2. In such case the shoes 34 will slide along the top of the pier 7 moving over the wear-plate 33.

When my improved apparatus is in use and'the bridge isin the position shouni in full g whhre the railroad tracks and the tracks upon which the piers travel are parallel with each other, the piers will be in direct line "with each other and the coal, when lifted from the boat by the clam-shell bucket, is carried. to the rear and delivered into the hopper 18 whence it )asses by the If, however, the car. to be loaded is on a portion of the railroad trackwliieh not parallel to the tracks upon which the "front pier travels, but para1 el with the track upon which the rear pier travels, it is apparent that the wheels 14 on the rear-pier must assume a position parallel with the track while at the same time the bridge remains in a straight line. Accordingly, the rear pier turns slightly on its swivel pin 29, the guide rails 20 sliding in the shoes 21 of the carriage 22 while the carriage travels rearwardly on the bridge together with the pier 8 so as to correspond to the increased distance of the track upon which the front pier travels from the angular track upon which the rear pier and the railway car are located. The movement of the rear pier, therefore, is longitudinally of the bridge while at the same time it has a swinging movement to permit its wheels to con orm to the direction of travel which it is required to take upon the track 6. If, however, it is desired to load the clam-shell bucket from one point in the boat, for instance the midpoint, while the cars are located at an angle to said point, power is applied to move the rear pier to a point in line with the car to be loaded, which increases the distance from the point of loading and so causes the rear pier to move rearwardly, while at the same time power is applied to move the front pier 7 slightly so as to keep the clam shell bucket in line with the point in the boat from which it is desired to remove-the coal, as clearly indicated indotted lines, Fig. 2. Thefact that the front pier is swiveled to swing permits of this movement. While the wheels of the saidifro'nt pier still maintain their position upon the straight paralleltracks upon which they run.

By my improved ap aratus provide for the handling of coal y the bridge, even though the span of the bridge may vary, where it is necessary to bring the cars on tracks not parallel with the track upon which the front pier travels,.while at the same time, even where the railroad track is parallel with the track of the front pier, the bridge may be so adjusted as to remove the coal from a single point in the boat and deliver it to a car 03 atlan angle from such point in t he. boat. The whole'structure may be so proportioned that the tendency of end-wise orces, such as wind, to overturn the pier by- I lifting" the bridge, is overcome by the weight of the bridge while at the same time accidental displacement of the rear pier is guarded a ainst by therollers 28 engaging the inner anges of the track stringers. i What I claim as my invention is: Y

1. In apparatus for storing and handling coal or 1i e material, the combination of a bridge, traveling piers supporting said bridge, one of said piers being movable longitudinally of said bridge, the points of contact of said bridge and pier being variable as regards the bridge and longitudinally fixed as regards the pier, and loading and unloading apparatus carried by said bridge.

2. In a paratus'for storing and handling coal or 11 e material, the-combination of a bridge, traveling piers supporting said bridge, one of said iers being movable'longitudinally of said ridge and, having'a swivel connection therewith, thepoints of contact of said bridge and pier being variable as regards the bridgeand longitudinally fixed as regards the pier and loading & unloading apparatus carried by said bridge.

3; In a paratus for storing and handling coal or ii e material, the combination of a bridge, traveling piers supporting saidbridge and travelin' on tracks on, or substantially on, a level with the base of the storage pile, a turn-table on one of fitid piers, wheels on said turn-table upon which said bridge rests, said Wheels having a fixed relation with reference to said pier, and loading and unloading apparatus carried by'said bridge. 40

4. In apparatus for storing and handling coal or like material, the combination of a bridge, traveling piers supportingsaid bridge, one, of said piers being movable longitudinallyof said bridge,'the points of contact of said bridge on said. movable pier remaining constant with reference to said pier, and loading and unloading apparatus carried by said bridge.

5. In apparatus for storing or. handling coal or like material, the combination f a 'bridge, traveling piers su porting said bridge,

one of said piers being ongitudinally movable of said bridge andhaving a plurality of points of contact with said bridge, the center of such points of contact being fixed as regards the pier, and loading and unloading apparatus carried by said ridge.

" 6. In apparatus for handling coal or like material, the combinationof a bridge, travel ing piers supportingsaid bridge, one of said iers being V-sl1a ed in forni and movable ongitudinally of said bridge, the points of ,support of said bridge on said V-shaped pier lying outside the point of support of said gaging inwardly pier, and loading and unloading apparatus ing and unloading apparatus carried by said bridge.

8. In apparatus for handling coal or like material, the combination of a bridge, traveling piers supporting said bridge, loading and unloading apparatus carried by said bridge, a carriage on one of said piers supporting said bridge and traveling longitudinally thereof, a swivel connection between said carriage and said pier, shoes on said carriage and guide rails on said pier with which said shoes are engaged.

9. In apparatus for handling coal or like material, the combination of a bridge, traveling piers supporting said bridge, loading and unloading apparatus carried by said bridge, a carriage on one of said iers, Wheels on said carriage having internie iate flanges formed .on their treads, and a slot formed in said bridge adapted to receive said flanges, said bridge resting on said wheels and a swivel connection between said pier and said carriage.

10. In apparatus for handling coal or like material, the combination of a bridge, traveling piers supporting said bridge,- loading and unloading apparatuscarried by said bridge,

said bridge and traveling longitudinal ythereof, and idlers carried by said carriage and enrojecting flanges formed on the longitudinaIbeams of said bridge and a swivel connection between said pier and said carriage.

' 11. In a paratus for handling coal or like .material, t e combination of abridge, traveling piers supporting-said bridge, loading and unloading apparatus carried by said bridge, the rear pier being longitudinally movable of said bridge and swiveled thereto, a swivel connection between the frontr'pier and said bridge, a wear plate on said front pier and shoes on said-bridge resting on said wear plate.

12. In apparatus for handling coal or like material, the combination of a bridge, traveling piers supporting said bridge, loading and unloading apparatus carried by said bridge, the rear pier traveling longitudinally of said bridge and swiveled thereto, a swivel connection between front pier and said bridge, a

bearing plate on said front pier and curved shoes carried by said bridge resting on said bearin plate.

13. p apparatus for handling coal or like a carrlage on one of said piers su porting IIO material, a combination of a bridge, travelplate and a swivel connection between. said ing piers supporting said bridge, loading and frame and the bridge proper.

unloading apparatus carried by said bridge, In testimony whereof, I the said CHARLES the rear pier travelinglongitudinally of said S. HLLIAMSON have hereunto set my hand. bridgeand swivelecl thereto, a bearing plate CHARLES S. \VLLLLXMSOX on the front pier, shoes carried by-said bridge Witnesses:

resting upon said bearing plate, a frame on ROBERT C. TOTTEN,

said front pier projecting above said bearing J OHN F. WILL. 

